Photo of Sarmistha Talukdar above by Christian Something.

Image description: Sarmistha is wearing a patterned outfit and is seated outside in the grass. They are gazing downwards and smiling.

Note: Previously this fundraiser was centered on one of the household members. However, due to the current political climate and deliberate targeting of migrants, as well as changing needs of the household, we have anonymized this fundraiser and are raising funds for all household members.

UPDATE MAY 1 2025

We are friends, loved ones, and community members of S, C, A and R, three BIPOC with a mix of disabilities and neurodivergences. They live together and are at immediate risk of losing their housing. They have been given until May 1st to come up with $2028 to stay housed.

S lost their job in 2021 following a mental health emergency and discrimination and ableism at work. R has also more recently gone through a job upheaval. A is someone who was recently houseless. R has also faced houselessness in the past with Faith. There are also 3 Unconditionally Loving Cats. Friends and neighbours have been supporting them, and their faith and community have been a source of strength. We’re grateful for all the support over the past several years, and hope that community members will come through for them once more in this urgent time of need.

Funds will go towards:

Food

Cat litter and pet care

Toiletries

Medicine and supplements as needed

Credit, personal and medical debt

Housing costs and utilities

We are hoping to raise $2028 urgently by May 1st to prevent them from losing their housing, but a longer term goal has been set for the fundraiser.

A, C, R and s have shown up in so many ways over the years for various communities, and we are now asking for others to show up for them. They deserve to have financial relief as they navigate these significant threats to safety and well-being.

Helping A, C, R and S stay housed would allow them to recover and support their self-care. We hope folks can show up for collective care for this disabled BIPOC household and community.

No donation is too small, and every contribution is much appreciated. Please also share and spread the word amongst your networks.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and generosity.

Note: Previously this fundraiser was centered on one of the household members. However, due to the current political climate and deliberate targeting of migrants, as well as changing needs of the household, we have anonymized this fundraiser and are raising funds for all household members.

UPDATE JUNE 22, 2024:

Sarmistha is in danger of having their electricity turned off! We are currently seeking support for $400 (in a loan or through donations) to help them get their electricity turned back on and to help pay for food, cat supplies, medicine, and dental work.

They have just been informed that they were approved for an emergency grant but it will still take a while for the funds to come to them.

Any amount helps - even a dollar! Thank you!

UPDATE JAN 21, 2024:

A huge thank you to all who have supported our friend Sarmistha so far! We have an update on Sarmistha’s circumstances, which have become more dire.

The money that has already been raised through this page has been allocated to the needs previously stated and has been of much help. However, Sarmistha has recently shared that they need to raise $5285 by the end of the month(January 2024) to stay housed. Their house, which they share with a Black elder roommate and three cats, is under threat of being foreclosed. As well, Sarmistha needs urgent and ongoing community support for food, health care, and transportation. Currently, Sarmistha’s application for asylum is ongoing.

Thank you so much again to everyone who has been sharing and donating. If you know of any resources that would be helpful to connect with, please also reach out. We hope to see our friend safe and housed!

Sarmistha is an award-winning queer disabled immigrant, manager and multi-disciplinary artist who has worked for over 15 years in scientific research and five years as a community organizer.

On December 21, 2021, Sarmistha experienced a mental health emergency; they took leave from work through this trauma. They experienced consistent discrimination and ableism from their employer and coworkers throughout their recovery and return to work, creating an unsafe work environment. In July, they were unjustly let go from their job, immediately putting their visa at risk.

Funds are needed to help cover immigration application and lawyer fees, credit and medical debt, and insurance costs. They also need to be able to take care of their physical and mental needs. $35,000 will get them through the next several months.

Sarmistha has shown up in so many ways over the years for various communities, and we are now asking for others to show up for them. They deserve to have financial relief as they navigate these significant stressors.

No donation is too small, and every contribution is much appreciated. Please also share and spread the word amongst your networks.

** When this was originally posted there was an error in the date mentioned above. It has since been changed to the correct date.